CAST your mind back to April 2011, and Chorley were close to ending their 11-year wilderness in the lower tier of the Northern Premier League.

But fast forward to the present day and they are now just three matches away from taking their place in the Football Conference top flight after an exile stretching back a quarter of a century.

In a whirlwind four years at Victory Park former Blackburn Rovers stars Garry Flitcroft and Matt Jansen have awoken one of non-league football’s true sleeping giants.

And with them on every step of the way has been defender Mark Ross.

The 26-year-old was part of the Chorley teams that won the Evo-Stik First Division North play-offs in 2010/11, and the Premier Division title in 2013/14.

Ross will also play a key part in their attempts to make it three promotions in five seasons over the next fortnight. The Magpies go into their final game of the regular Conference North campaign, at home to Solihull Moors this afternoon, knowing they have already secured their place in the play-offs, which begin on Wednesday. with the first leg of the semi finals.

The thought of the club dining at the top table of non-league football for the first time since 1990, is a mouthwatering one for Ross.

And he believes, should they get there, their achievements will be made all the more special by the fact that the core group of the side has remained intact throughout its remarkable rise.

Along with Ross, captain Andy Teague, Dale Whitham, Adam Roscoe and Jack Dorney were all part of the Chorley squad that beat AFC Fylde in the Evo-Stik First Division North play-off final in front of 2,950 fans four years ago.

“It’s been a massive four years,” said Ross, who was one of Magpies boss Flitcroft’s first signings after taking over the club in the summer of 2010.

“I’ve been here throughout that time, it’s been crazy, and the great thing is that there doesn’t seem to be any sign of it stopping.

“If anything we’ve got momentum behind us and we feel anything could happen.

“There is even more to come from Chorley but it’s amazing to think where we’ve come from.

“We do everything together, it’s not like we just go to training and when we leave and then not see each other.

“There’s a real bond that’s been built up these past four years and, while it’s only been four years, it feels like I’ve known the lads forever.”

Not that there have not have been obstacles in the way.

After each season ex-Rovers captain Flitcroft has brought in competition for Ross’s place in the heart of the Magpies defence.

The right back, however, has certainly risen to the challenge.

“It’s an on-going little joke we have,” laughs Ross.

The defender has a burning desire to make it into the professional ranks in England.

He made a living out of the game for two years in New Orleans after moving to America to undertake a scholarship. It was during his time in the United States that the Manchester United fan became a fitness fanatic.

So much so that when he did return to home shores, it led to him opening his own personal training business, Just Results, in Blackrod.

“I’ve got big dreams and I want to carry on playing and try and make it into the league,” said Ross.

“It’s not something that is a million miles away and maybe in a couple of years we could get there with Chorley.”

But whereas Ross may be the boss at his gym, he and the rest of the Chorley squad know who is in charge back at Victory Park.

“We know the gaffer has been there and done it so, while sometimes you’ll bite when he tells you’ve done something wrong, an hour down the line on the coach on the way home you think, ‘yes, he’s right’, and you’ll try and change it for the next game,” said Ross of Flitcroft.

“The gaffer has done a great job but you know what, it’s his backroom staff as well. They are all amazing, and you can tell that by the results we’ve had over the last four years.

“Now we can’t wait for the play-offs and, whoever we play, we know we can beat them on our day.”